History of Medicine

Beginning in the 1970s, China strongly promoted policies of limiting fertility, using the slogan "wan, xi, shao" – 晚 稀 少 – "later, longer, fewer." The campaign encouraged later marriage, longer intervals between children, and fewer children, using a variety of birth control means. Family planning was seen as central to building socialism and to liberating women. Coming on the heels of the Cultural Revolution, the campaign produced posters with emotionally charged images in vibrant colors – especially red.